Kim Pham beating: Preliminary hearing delayed

by Ed Joyce

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This composite of photos provided by the Santa Ana Police Department shows defendants Candace Brito (L) and Vanesa Zavala (R), who are each charged with one felony count of murder in connection with the death of Kim Pham, the 23-year-old woman who was beaten outside a Santa Ana nightclub on Jan. 19. Courtesy of Santa Ana Police Department

The preliminary hearing was rescheduled Tuesday for two women charged with murder in connection with the beating of Kim Pham. The hearing is now scheduled for Monday, Feb. 10 in Orange County Superior Court in Westminster.

Candace Brito, 27, and Vanesa Zavala, 25, have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Both are being held in jail in lieu of $1 million bail.

Pham, 23, was beaten outside The Crosby nightclub in downtown Santa Ana shortly after midnight on January 19. She was taken off life support and died three days later.

A coroner's report says Pham died from complications of "blunt force trauma to the head."

Orange County Deputy DA Troy Pino has said there is clear footage showing which people kicked and punched Pham during the altercation.

But defense attorneys Kenneth Reed and Michael Molfetta say their clients did not kill Pham.

Brito's attorney, Molfetta, said Pham was "actively involved" in starting the fight outside the nightclub.

The hearing date was changed because Zavala's attorney, Kenneth Reed, had a schedule conflict. Molfetta represented both defendants before Judge Thomas J. Borris.

Molfetta objected to the case being reassigned from Newport Beach to Westminster. Judge Borris noted the objection but did not issue a ruling.